Alison dos Santos (left) wins ahead of Roshawn Clarke in the men's 400m hurdles race during the inaugural Grand Slam Track at the National Stadium on Friday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
OPENING SALVO!
Grand Slam Track series off to sensational start in Jamaica
It might not have been the biggest crowd assembled at the National Stadium for a track meet, but the close-to-7,000 fans who witnessed the debut of Grand Slam Track certainly brought the energy, at a meet that delivered four world leads and impressive performances throughout.
A deejay on the infield, eight quick-fire events, world-class athletes and a relatively small but energetic crowd, the beginning of the Grand Slam Track era might not have brought a tsunami of track thrill, but the never-before-seen concept presented an ever-swelling wave of top-level performances amidst a chorus of screaming fans and horns.
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It was no surprise that American great Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the women’s 400m hurdles, was front and centre, igniting the crowd with a strong 56.76 seconds, totally dominating a stacked field filled with World and Olympic finalists.
“There’s no better place to open up. I was told I have some fans here,” said McLaughlin-Levrone, triggering wild cheers from the stands.
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The groundbreaking format sees athletes compete twice over the weekend; once in their pet event and McLaughlin-Levrone and the other “long hurdles” athletes will again line up on Sunday in the flat 400m.
“It’s exciting to show the full athlete, not just the hurdles, but the other side of it also, so I am just going to go home and recover,” she noted.
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For McLaughlin-Levrone, who was competing for the first time in Jamaica, it was an experience she will cherish.
“It’s awesome, you feed off it [the fan support]. I think they showed love to everybody, so I just feel really welcomed and I’m just happy to be here and run for them,” McLaughlin-Levrone told reporters after the event.
Second place in the event went to Dalilah Muhammad, who crossed the line in 54.59 with Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton, a two-time bronze medal winner at the World Championships, taking third in 55.02.
Despite an abbreviated warm-up, World Indoor champion and Olympic relay gold medal winner Christopher Bailey sent a strong early-season warning, easing to an impressive 44.34 seconds win in the men’s long sprint 400m event.
“That felt pretty good. My warm-up was a bit shaky; I got the wrong time for last call. But in track and field anything can happen. That was a decent opener, so I can’t complain. I just have to get ready for tomorrow (today),” said Bailey.
Bailey and the rest of the field will compete in the 200m today and the American, who was full of praise for the fans on hand, says he is excited to contest the event for the first time in six years.
“I love the atmosphere, the weather is nice, the audience is spectacular, it’s almost a hometown crowd because everybody just love track and field, they cheer for you no matter where you are from,” Bailey shared. “I know the 200m can help me in the 400m and I am really curious to see how much faster I can go in the 200m. I am really excited to see what I can do.”
The other big performance came from Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, the Olympic bronze medal winner in the men’s 400m hurdles at the last two instalments.
Dos Santos stopped the clock at 47.61 seconds to get the better of young Jamaican Roshawn Clarke, 48.20, and Caleb Dean, 48.48.
“I knew I could run fast to come out here and run a 46.6; I am really proud of the time. I was confident about my race; I have been practising good with good times. I think this is an amazing field with medallists and finalists, so I have so much respect for all of them,” said dos Santos.
American Nikki Hiltz also produced a world’s best, clocking 1:58.23 to win the women’s 800m. She got the win ahead of Diribe Welteji, 1:58.29 was second with Jessica Hull, 1:58.58 taking third.
Olympic champion Gabby Thomas was also impressive, winning the very first event on the day, the women’s 200m in the long sprint category, to get her points campaign off to a positive start.
With the 400m up next for the women’s long sprints athletes, Thomas knew very well that all 12 points would be necessary in her bid to take the title in the category considering the strong group of quarter-milers in her field.
Thomas arrived at the top of the bend behind Brit Dina-Asher-Smith, but showed her strength to power home in 22.62 seconds. Marileidy Paulino finished second in 22.93 seconds with Asher-Smith fading to third in 22.96.
“It was really exciting. Grand Slam is such an exciting moment for our sport and I knew coming out with a win in the first race was going to feel really good and I can’t wait to see what’s to come,” Thomas said.
“Going into this I knew I had to win the 200m if I was to win the Slam in the long sprints category so this is definitely a big confidence booster and hopefully it goes well tomorrow (Saturday).
The men’s 100m brought down the curtains with a nail-biting finish between American Kenny Bednarek, who got the win in 10.07 seconds and Jamaican Oblique Seville, 10.08 seconds, ending the one hour and 40 minutes track showcase.
Zharnel Hughes ran third in 10.13 seconds, the same time as Ackeem Blake.
Bednarek, sporting a Jamaican-inspired headband was pleased with his win and the points secured, even if he was less impressed with his execution.
“I think it was a good race but I have a lot to improve. My block starts have been really good, but I don’t think I showed that in this race I think my first few steps were me stumbling, so I have to clean that up in the next race,” said Bednarek.
Seville was also disappointed after missing out on the win in front of his home fans, but is confident it will all come together when it matters.
“I am disappointed with the execution but it’s my first race and the championships is in November so I am not worried. I think it was a good run.
Grand Slam Track features six event categories for men and women, with each event category carrying two disciplines that competitors will compete in over the course of a weekend. Each category will have eight competitors in total — four signed “Grand Slam Racers,” who were chosen based on their world rankings and merits.
The other four competitors are the “Grand Slam Challengers” — generally up-and-coming athletes. Points will be allocated for placements with the athlete with the best combined score for the two events in their category securing the win and US$100,000. Cash prizes will be distributed to each position with the last-placed athlete walking away with US$10,000.
The series will also make stops in Miami (May 2-4), Philadelphia (May 30-June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27-29).
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
Men’s 110m Hurdles – 5:42 pm
Men’s 200m – 5:56 pm
Women’s 1,500m – 6:08 pm
Women’s 100m Hurdles – 6:25 pm
Women’s 100m – 6:38 pm
Men’s 1,500m – 6:52 pm
Men’s 200m – 7:07 pm
Women’s 400m – 7:21 pm
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reacts to winning the women’s 400m hurdles race during Grand Slam Track at the National Stadium on Friday.
